How to Mount a Photo Correctly

Conservation Method

• 1

  Slip the corners of the photo into photo corners, plastic pockets that hold the photo in place.

• 2

  Set the photo onto the backing board face down. Place two equally spaced 1-inch strips of hinging tissue vertically onto the back of the photo with 1/2 inch sticking out above the top of the photo. Turn the photo over and set it on the mount board, pressing the overhanging tissue onto the mount board.

• 3

  Stick a horizontal piece of hinging tissue across each vertical tissue section on the backing board. Place the glass or acrylic over the photo and slip the mounted photo into the frame.

Dry-mounting

• 4

  Place adhesive tissue onto the mounting board.

• 5

  Place the photo face up onto the mounting board, over the tissue.

• 6

  Press the photo to the mounting board with a heated photo press machine, activating the adhesive, permanently mounting the photo to the backing board.

Wet-mounting

• 7

  Spread photo glue or paste over the backing board, covering a slightly smaller surface area than your photo.

• 8

  Position the photo over the glue, face up.

• 9

  Set a piece of glass over the photo to evenly press the photo into the glue for four to 24 hours, depending on the photo size and glue used.

Pressure Sensitive Mounting

• 10

  Peel the release paper from the adhesive side of the precoated mount board.

• 11

  Position the photo onto the adhesive side of the board.

• 12

  Place the release paper over the face of the photo for protection, and press the photo to the backing board with a squeegee. Allow the adhesive to cure for 24 hours.

Spray Mounting

• 13

  Place the photo face down onto freezer paper.

• 14

  Spray adhesive spray over the entire back of the photo, and spray over the edges.

• 15

  Flip the photo over and position it on the backing board. Press the photo onto the backing board, from the center out, using your hand.